Golf game



June 4, 1935. D. POWELL 2,00 ,809

GOLF GAME Filed March 25,1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 flaucdPoweZL, 1 y Maw, M MUMQL M D. POWELL June 4, 1935.

GOLF GAME Filed" March 25, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 4, 1935 '7 p v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,093,309

Y 'GOLF GAME 1 David Powell, Chicago, Ill. Application March-25; 1933, Serial No. 662,649

17 Claims. 7 (Cl. 27835) This invention relates to golf games andis degame or practice device is carried by a sector-like signed to provide a game which may be played base I comprisinga. lower section 2 and a cover either indoors or outdoors and whichwill simulate or upper section 3. The lower section is provided both in the employment of regulation golf clubs with three rubber pads or feet 4 which immovably 5 and in the character and degree of skill required support the entire game during operation. The 5 in their use the playing of an actual game of two sections of the base aresecured together by golf. cap screws 6 in spaced relation and are shaped My invention aims to provide a golf game which to provide an interior arcuate passageway 1 for although played in a restricted area, offers the the ball 8 carried upon the end of an arms. Arm

swinging exercise and pleasure of actual golf, and 9 is pivoted upon a spindle ll journalled in bear- 10 likewise is dependent in the results attained alings supported in the two'casing sections. The most entirely upon the skill of the participants. arm is provided with a counterweight l-Z posi- In carrying out my invention a ball resembling tioned upon the opposite side of the spindle from a golf ball, but preferably made of solid rubber, the arm to counterbalance the arm and ball. A-

is mounted on the end of a revoluble arm so that worm i3 is fixedly secured to the upper end of 15 when ready for play the ball may be hit with a spindle H and engages a worm wheel fastened driver as a golf ball is hit from the tee,-or may upon one end of a cross shaft 14 which, through-a be propelled with less force by a putter as a ball second worm is and. worm wheel l1, drives a veris customarily putted on the green. A pointer or tical indicator shaft l8 journalled in a bearing 2 indicator adjustably connected through a'reduc- I 9 formed-on an indicator plate 2|. Plate 2| 20 ing train with the arm is designed to travel over seats upon a circular rim 22 projecting upwardly a dial upon which yardage is marked, the extent from the upp C ver 3. The indicator shaft I8 is of movement of the indicator at eachplay being enlarged at its center as at 23 f p rp s whi h lependent upon the force and accuracy with which will later appear and is provided thereabove with 2;, the ball is hit. A close approximation of the atubular hub 24 threaded at its upper end. 25 actual yardage in flight of a golf ball is indicated. A tubular indicator 26 having an inte a nob upgn t i by th i t H 2! fits over the tubular extension 24 and seats My invention also contemplates theprovision upon the enl r d center po i n. The indiof a dial upon which the successive holes to be cator is held in frictional contact on the shaft v played are indicated, and in addition theprovision so as to rotate therewith by means of a corn- 30 of a signalling means, such as an electric circuit, pression spring 28 surrounding the tubular exand a lamp which is lighted to announce the ac tension and being compressed and held in posicuracy of a shot which would result in holding tion by a Cap 29 threaded upon the upper end of I out in an actual game. 1 the tubular extension. This manner of frictional- The attraction and pleasure of the game are ly securing the indicator and knob to thetubular 35 further enhanced by the fact thatthe score card extension of the indicator shaft causes the in'-" of any golf course may be used in conjunction dicator to berotated-by the shaft and yet permits with the play, the length and character. of the adjustment or setting of the indicator relatively holes being theoreticallyvaried in each instance to the shaft by manual rotation of knob 21. 40 to conform to the yardage indicated on the par- An annular hole indicating dial 3! graduated 40 ticular score card being used. to indicate the holes of'the golf course, nine A more comprehensive understanding of my inbeing shown in the present instance, is fixedly vention will be obtainable from the following desecuredto plate 2! and underlies the'indicator scription given in connection with the drawings. 26;. A second annular yardage indicating dial in which: 32 graduated to indicate yards surrounds dial 3l Fig. 1 is a plan viewof a game constructed in concentrically thereto and is adjustably secured accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical to indicator plate 2!, being rotatable relatively transverse section approximately on line 2-4 of thereto. For rotatably securing dial 32 to the Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line plate, the underside of the dial is provided with 33 of Fig. 1 omitting the base and housing; Fig. three fingers 33 and a lug 34' spaced about the 50 a 4 is a horizontal section taken approximately on. dial whichengage under aledge 35 formed inthe' line 44 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plate. Lug 34 is tapped to receive a screw 38, detail illustratingthe manner of securing one of the head of which also engages under the same the dials. ledge. The plate is provided with an aperture Referring more particularlyito the drawings, the. through which the screw may be extracted, thus permitting removal of the plate. A spring pawl 31 (Fig. 4) carried by dial 32 frictionally engages ledge 35 to retain the dial in adjusted position and to give a starting point the ledge is notched as at 38, which notch is engaged by spring pawl 31. Dial 32 is also provided with a knob 39 projecting laterally from one edge thereof to facilitate adjustment thereof.

An adjustable hole indicatingpointer 4| is provided which plays over dials 3| and 32 to indicate the next hole. This pointer is carried by an insulating ring 42 rotatable about a central hub 43 provided on indicator plate 2|. The

pointer is also provided with a knob 44 by means of which the ring and pointer may be rotated about hub 43.

A further indicating device or signal is provided to denote when a hole is made. In the present embodiment of this invention this latter signal constitutes a light 46 positioned in the center of the knob 21 beneath an illuminating glass 41 secured in'position by cap 29. The circuit for the lamp is completed by engagement of indicator 26 with aspring contact 48 carriedby the hole pointer ring 42 and projecting upwardly therethrough in position to be engaged by indicator 26 The circuit for the lamp includes a source of electrical energy 49 (Fig. 1) which may be batteries, or the usual house lighting circuit to which is attacheda pair of conductors 5| which connect to a pair of spring contacts 52 extending into the interiorof the raised rim 22 in position to be engaged by a pair of spring contacts 53 carried by indicator plate 2|. From one of the spring contacts 53 the circuit continues through a conductive plunger 54 which projects through plate 2| and is insulated therefrom to engage a conductive ring 56 carried by the insulating hole pointer ring 42 and to which is connected the spring contact 48. From contact 48 the circuit continues through indicator 26 which is insulated from the knob to a contact ring 51 insulatingly embedded in the upper face of the enlarged center portion 23 of indicator shaft l8 which conducting ring is engaged by the inner resilient end of indicator 26. Ring 5'! is connected to the outer shell orcontact of the lamp by means of a conducting pin 58. v

The other side of the circuit continues from the other contact 53 to a plunger 59 which also extends through plate 2| and isinsulated therefrom and engages a contact ring 6| insulatingly embedded in the lower face'of the enlarged portion 23 of indicator shaft I8. This latter ring is conductively connected to the center contact of the lamp by means of a conductive pin 62 which in turn engages a spring pressed plunger 63 which contacts the center terminal of the lamp.

In using the game for either play or practice, hole pointer 4| is adjusted over hole dial 3| to the hole to be played. The outer or yardage dial 32 is then rotated to bring the yardage of the hole to be played from the lastor preceding hole opposite the hole pointer. Knob 21 is then rotated to bring indicator 26 opposite zero on the yardage dial, as shown in dotted position in Fig. 1. The ball is then struck with the club in the usual manner and the indicator will rotate and register the number of yards made on the first stroke. A sufficient number of strokes is made as is nec-. essary to bring indicator 26 into contact with and remain in engagement with contact .48 carried by pointer 4| and ring 42. The length of the contact between pointer 26 and contact 48 in the present instance is approximately 3 or 4 revolutions of the ball and arm, thus approximating the normal difliculty encountered in sinking the ball into the cup. After the indicator is brought to rest in contact with switch contact 48, the number of strokes required is the number of strokes considered required to play the first hole. The same steps are employed by each player until any given number of holes is played.

The weight of the ball, arm and counterweight is so selected as to approximate as closely as possible the actual driving of a golf ball and the gearing of the yardage dial is so selected that the movement of the dial in response to a direct and true drive is approximately 200 yards, being equivalent to the drive of an average player.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the actual play of a golf game is closely approximated in the device of my invention., Any given yardage for any specified hole may be set for play and the number of strokes counted to make the hole. An overdrive will be indicated byflashing of the light as the indicator passes over the contact. The adjustable yardage dial may then be advanced beyond the indicator the same number of yards which the indicator has passed over the original setting. Thus an overdrive, as well as an underdrive, can bevapproximated. If the ball is topped, sliced or hooked, the blow is not as eilective as a direct square drive and accordingly the yardage made by the drive will be less. Consequently, to some extent at least, the effect of a poorly directed shot is approximated. It will be apparent to those skilled in the game that many other actual conditions of the game may be approximated.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the details of construction of the illustrated embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A simulated golf game comprising a base, an arm pivotally carried by said base, a ball supported by said arm in position to be struck by a golf club, an indicator actuated by said arm, said indicator being adjustable relatively to said arm, an adjustable dial associated with said indicator, said dial being graduated to indicate relative distances, an additional indicating device with reference to which said dial is adapted to be adjusted, and means arranged to give a signal when said indicator advances upon said dial to a position determined by said additional device.

2. A simulated golf game comprising a base, an arm pivotally carried by said base, a ball supported by said arm in position to be struck by a golf club, an indicator actuated by'said arm, an indicating dial associated with said indicator, said dial being graduated to indicate relative distances, an electrical contact member adjustable about the path of movement of said indicator, and a signalling device controlled by said contact and arranged to give a signal upon predetermined movement of said indicator.

3. A simulated golf game comprising a base, an arm pivotally carried by said base, a ball supported by said arm in position to be struck by a golf club, an indicator actuated by said arm, said indicator being adjustable relatively to said arm, an indicating dial associated with said indicator, said dial being graduated to indicate relative distances, an electrical contact member adjustable about the path of movement of said indicator, and a signalling device controlled by said contact and arranged to give a signal upon predetermined movement of said indicator. 7

4. A simulated golf game comprising a base, an arm pivotally carried by said base, a ball supported by said arm in position to be struck by a golf club, an indicator actuated by said arm, an adjustable indicating dial associated with said indicator, said dial being graduated to indicate relative distances, an electrical contact member adjustable about the path of movement of said indicator, and a signalling device controlled by said contact and arranged to give a signal upon predetermined movement of said indicator.

5. A simulated golf game comprising a base, an arm 'pivotally carried by said base, a ball supported by said arm in position to be struck by a golf club, an indicator actuated bysaid arm, said indicator being adjustable relatively to said arm, an adjustable indicating dial associated with said indicator, said dial being graduated to indicate relative distances, and an additional indicating device arranged to give a signal when a predetermined distance has been registered by said indicator upon said dial, said signalling device comprising an electrical circuit including said indicator, a contact member adjustable with respect to said indicator, and an electrical signal device controlled by said circuit.

6. A simulated golf game comprising a base, an arm pivotally carried by said base, a ball supported by said arm in position to be struck by a golf club, an indicator actuated by said arm, said indicator being adjustable relatively to said arm, an adjustable indicating dial associated withsaid indicator, said dial being graduated to indicate relative distances, and a second dial associated with said indicator for indicating the hole being played and with reference to which the first mentioned dial is adapted to be adjusted.

'7. A simulated golf game comprising a base, an arm pivotally carried by said base, a ball supported by said arm in position to be struck by a golf club, an indicator actuated by said arm, said indicator being adjustable relatively to said arm, an adjustable indicating dial associated with said indicator, said dial being graduated to indicate relative distances, a pointer adjustable about said dial, a second dial associated with said pointer for indicating the hole being played, and an additional adjustable indicating device and means cooperating therewith arranged to give a signal on a predetermined movement of said indicator.

8. A simulated golf game comprising a base, an arm pivotally carried by said base for rotation in a horizontal plane, a balance weight secured to said arm on the opposite side of its pivot, a ball secured upon the free end of said arm in position to be struck by a golf club, an indicator actuated by said arm, said indicator being adjustable relatively to said arm, an adjustable indicating dial associated with said indicator, said dial being graduated to indicate relative distances, a second dial associated with said indicator and graduated to indicate the hole being played, said first mentioned dial being adjustable in relation to the second mentioned dial to determine the selected distance from a tee to a selected hole, and means including an additional indicator arranged to give a signal on a predetermined movement of said indicator.

9. A simulated golf game device comprising a base, an arm pivoted to said base, a ball carried by said arm adapted to be struck by a golf club, said arm adapted to revolve in response to the tion gearing for actuating said indicator shaft by revolution of said ball-carrying arm.

10. A simulated golf game device comprising a base, an arm pivoted to said base, a ball carried by said arm adapted to be struck by a golf club, said arm adapted to revolve in response to the striking of said ball, a dial on said base marked to represent successive holes to be played, an adjustable vpointer adapted to be set in registration with any selected hole, an associated adjustable yardage dial adapted to be set to register any selected yardage indication with said pointer, an adjustable indicator adapted to be set in registration with the zero mark of said yardage dial, a shaft concentric with said yardage dial carrying said indicator, means comprising reduction gearing for actuating said indicaton: electric circuit contacts carried by said indicator and pointer, and a signal circuit arranged to be closed through said contacts when the indicator comes into registration with said pointer.

11. A simulated golf game device having, in combination with a pivotally mounted ball-carrying arm adapted to revolve in response. to the striking of the ball carried thereby, an indicating mechanism comprising a yardage dial and indicator cooperating therewith, an indicator shaft concentric with said dial and carrying one of the said two elements of the indicating mechanism, means including reduction gearing for actuating said indicator shaft by revolution of said ball-carrying arm, and anotherdial marked to represent successive holes to be played, said first mentioned dial adapted to be selectively positioned with reference to said second mentioned dial for indicating the yardage from a driving tee to a hole to be played, and apointer cooperating with said dials to indicate the hole to be played and with which the indicator will register when the hole is played.

12. A simulated golf game device having,sin combination with a pivotally mounted ball-carrying arm adapted to revolve in response to the striking of the ball carried thereby, an indicating mechanism comprising a relatively adjustable yardage dial and indicator adapted to be initially set with the indicator in registration with the zero mark of said dial, one of said two elements of the indicating mechanism being revoluble for advancing the indicator relative to the dial, adjustable means cooperating with said dial adapted to be selectively positioned in relation to the dial for indicating a selected yardage from a driving tee to a hole to be played, and means including reduction gearing for actuating said revoluble element by the revolution of said ball-carrying arm, and a fixed hole indicating dial concentric with the yardage dial, the yardage dial being adjustable relative to said fixed dial, and said adjustable means being arranged to swing on an axis concentric with the dials.

13. A simulated golf game device having, in combination with a pivotally mounted ball-carrying arm adapted to revolve in response to the striking of the ball carried thereby, an indicating mechanism "comprising a yardage'dial and two adjustable pointers cooperating therewith, one adapted to be set in registration with the zero point of said dial and the other adapted to be set at any desired angular distance from the first to indicate a selected yardage, means actuated by revolution of said ball-carrying arm for moving the first mentioned pointer toward the second, and means comprising an electric circuit and contacts therefor carried by said pointers to give a signal in response to the travel by said first mentioned pointer a distance corresponding to the selected yardage. i

14. A simulated golf game device comprising an arm mounted to revolve on a vertical axis, a ball carried thereby adapted to be struck by a golf club, a sector-shaped base to which said arm is pivoted adjacent the vertex of said sectorshaped base, said base comprising a bottom member and an upper member spaced therefrom and joined thereto only at the arcuate periphery so that the arm in revolving can move between said members, said members being shaped adjacent the said arcuate periphery to provide an arcuate passage for the ball, index mechanism mounted onrsaid upper member of said base'including a revoluble indicator, and means in said base including reduction gearing for actuating said indicator by revolution of said ball-carrying arm.

'15. A simulated golf 1 game device comprising an arm mounted to revolve on a vertical axis, a ball carried thereby adapted to be struck by a golf club, a sector-shaped base to which said arm is pivoted adjacent the vertex of said sectorshaped base, said base comprising a bottom member and an uppermember spaced therefrom and joined thereto only at the arcuate periphery so that the arm in revolving can move between said members, said members being shaped adjacent the said arcuate periphery to provide an arcuate passage for the ball, said upper member having a circular upwardly extending rim, an indicator plate seated thereon and secured thereto, indicator mechanism mounted on said plate including a revoluble indicator having its shaft or spindle mounted in said plate, and means enclosed by said rim comprising reduction gearing for actuating said indicator shaft by revolution of said ball-carrying arm.

16. A simulated golf game device comprising a balanced arm mounted to revolve on a vertical axis, a ball carried thereby adapted to be struck by a golf club, a base to which said arm is pivoted, an indicator shaft, means comprising reduction gearing for actuating said indicator shaft by revolution of said arm, a dial supporting member carried by said base having a bearing for said indicator shaft, a dial on said member marked to represent successive holes to be played, an associated yardage dial, a hole-indicating pointer cooperating with said dials, a carrier for said pointer rotatably fitted on said member and having a handle for adjusting the pointer to register with any selected hole to be played, said yardage dial being rotatably seated on said member and having a handle for adjusting it to register any selected yardage indication with said pointer, and a knob on said indicator shaft having a pointer for cooperation with said yardage dial, said knob having means frictionally connecting it with said indicator shaft so as to turn therewith but to permit independent normal adjustment thereof.

1'7. A simulated golf game device comprising a balanced arm mounted to revolve on a vertical axis,a ball carried thereby adapted to be struck by a golf club, a base to which said arm is pivoted, an indicator shaft, means comprising reduction gearing for actuating said indicator shaft by. revolution of said arm, a dial supporting member having a bearing for said indicator shaft, a dial on said member, an indicator on said shaft cooperating with said dial, an adjustable pointer having a carrier therefor mounted on said member, said indicator shaft having an upper tubular part, an electric lamp housed therein, a transparent member closing the upper end of said tubular part, and a lamp circuit having contacts therefor carried by said indicator and pointer to cause the lamp to glow by closure of the circuit through said contacts when the indicator registers with said pointer.

DAVID POWELL. 

